Unlocking eSIM Support on Canadian Samsung Galaxy S20 Series: A Step-by-Step Guide

In the ever-evolving landscape of mobile technology, the electronic SIM (eSIM) has emerged as a game-changing innovation. Offering enhanced flexibility and convenience, eSIM technology eliminates the need for a physical SIM card, revolutionizing the way we connect to cellular networks. Despite its numerous advantages, eSIM support on smartphones has been a subject of limited availability and activation restrictions.

One such device that boasts the necessary hardware to support eSIM technology is the Samsung Galaxy S20 series. However, users in Canada have faced a frustrating dilemma: while their Samsung Galaxy S20 devices possess the required hardware, eSIM functionality remains unactivated by default. This curious oversight has left many Canadian Samsung Galaxy S20 users yearning for a solution that unlocks the full potential of their devices.

Enabling eSIM Support on the Galaxy S20:

To successfully enable eSIM support on a Canadian Samsung Galaxy S20, an alternative approach is required. One option is to flash the official US firmware onto the device. This process allows users to leverage the eSIM feature and enjoy its benefits. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to accomplish this:

Step 1: Inspect and Identify Your Phone Model:

Before proceeding, ensure that you know the exact model of your Samsung Galaxy S20. This information is crucial for downloading the correct firmware. For instance, if you own a Galaxy S20 5G SM-G981W, you can successfully flash the firmware for SM-G981U1, which corresponds to the US version of the S20. However, if you’re interested in flashing international firmware, double-check its compatibility, as some S20 versions use the Exynos chip.

Step 2: Download the US Firmware:

To find and download the firmware for your S20, follow the provided link. Make sure you select the appropriate firmware for your specific model.

Step 3: Flash the Official US Firmware:

Flashing official firmware on a Samsung Galaxy phone involves a series of steps. Although the process may vary slightly depending on your device model and firmware version, the following guide will provide a general overview:

Important Note: Flashing official firmware will erase all data on your Samsung Galaxy phone. Remember to back up important files, contacts, and other data before proceeding.

1. Prepare your tools and files:

• Ensure your Samsung Galaxy phone has at least a 50% battery charge to avoid power-related issues during the process.
• Download and install Samsung USB drivers from the official Samsung website.
• Obtain the official firmware for your specific Samsung Galaxy phone model from either the SamMobile website or the official Samsung firmware repository.
• Extract the firmware file to a location on your computer that you can easily access later.

2. Enable Developer Options and USB Debugging:

• On your Samsung Galaxy phone, navigate to “Settings.”
• Scroll down and tap on “About phone” or “About device.”
• Locate the “Build number” and tap it seven times to enable Developer Options.
• Return to the main “Settings” menu and tap on “Developer Options.”
• Toggle on “USB Debugging.” You may receive a warning; simply confirm your selection.

3. Boot your Samsung Galaxy phone into Download Mode:

• Power off your Samsung Galaxy phone completely.
• Press and hold the Volume UP + Volume Down keys simultaneously and connect the phone to your computer using a USB cable. Keep the buttons pressed for 5-7 seconds.

4. Launch Odin and prepare for firmware flashing:

• Download the Odin tool, designed explicitly for flashing firmware on Samsung devices.
• Extract the Odin tool to a folder on your computer.
• Run Odin as an administrator by right-clicking on the Odin executable file and selecting “Run as administrator.”

5. Flash the official firmware using Odin

• In Odin, you’ll see various sections like “ID: COM” and “Options.”
• Ensure that the “ID: COM” section turns blue, indicating that Odin has recognized and connected to your device.
• Click on the “AP” or “PDA” button in Odin and navigate to the location where you extracted the firmware file. There will be either 1 file to AP/PDA or 4 files to (AP/BL/CP/CSC) to it’s slots.
• Select the firmware file with the “.tar” or “.md5” extension.
• Leave all other options in Odin as default unless you have specific requirements.
• Double-check that the firmware file is selected correctly and all necessary options are set.
• Once everything is ready, click on the “Start” button in Odin to initiate the firmware flashing process.

6. Wait for the firmware flashing process to complete

• Odin will begin flashing the official firmware on your Samsung Galaxy phone.
• Do not disconnect your phone during the process and avoid using your computer for other tasks to ensure a stable connection.
• You’ll see a progress bar in Odin indicating the flashing process.
• Once the firmware flashing is complete, Odin will display the “PASS!” message.

7. Reboot your Samsung Galaxy phone:

• After successful firmware flashing, your Samsung Galaxy phone will automatically reboot.
• Please note that it might take a few minutes for the phone to boot up for the first time after flashing the new firmware.

Congratulations! You have now successfully flashed the official US firmware on your Canadian Samsung Galaxy S20, enabling eSIM support and unlocking the device’s full potential.

Potential Issues when Flashing US Firmware on a Canadian Galaxy S20

It’s important to be aware that when you flash the SM-G981U1 firmware, visual voicemail will no longer work. Consider this drawback before proceeding with the firmware update.

Future Expectations

Samsung may introduce eSIM functionality through a future software update. If you can manage without eSIM for the time being, it’s advisable to wait for official support to avoid the potential risks associated with flashing firmware. It’s also worth noting that this process involves complete formatting of all data, which can be inconvenient for most users.